The story in one page
Jean Baptiste, a quiet bushman, brings his wife Charlotte and her admirer, Les Walters, into a treacherous stretch of river. As a descendant of voyageurs, Jean knows how to navigate the churn, but he is more interested in navigating his marriage. When the canoe intentionally tips in the rapids, Les reveals his true character by striking Charlotte to escape the water alone. Charlotte, realizing her mistake, reaches for her husband just as he pulls her from the current. Jean watches the scene with a cold, calculated satisfaction, knowing the scar left by the sawyer’s ring will serve as a permanent lesson.
Who's who
- Jean Baptiste Chabrier
Quiet bushman with an understanding of his wife's wandering heart.
- Charlotte
The wife testing her husband's protection against a new romance.
- Les Walters
A blond sawyer who is all charm until the water rises.
What it's really about
- Jealousy
- Love fuels a sharp, defensive, and observant possessiveness.
- Instinct
- Danger exposes the true character of partners in crisis.
Why it's memorable
- The canoe spinning helplessly while Jean watches with predator-like, hawk-sharp eyes.
- Les hitting Charlotte in the face with his ringed hand to reach shore.
The ending, explained
Spoilers — show the ending
Jean rescues his wife while feeling satisfied that the permanent scar on her face will forever remind her of the man she nearly chose. It was a testing of two souls, and both learned the truth.
For your book club
- Jean treats his wife’s infidelity like a potential predator’s strike.
- The river functions less like a setting and more like a judge.